In a town not far from Leicester
A small cottage may be seen,
Where once lived, with their mother,
Little John and Robert Green.
There their father breathed his spirit
To the source from whence it came,
Ere the little twins had learned,

How to lisp their father's name. There the fond and tender mother, Taught them how to read and pray; Often bid them love each other

Till their last their dying day; Warned them of bad companionsBoys who break the sabbath day;

Who disobey their parents,

And who never, never pray.

Four willow trees-the harbour

Where these lessons oft were given

Still are growing where the father

Placed them ere he went to heaven. And oft when the shades of evening Gently overspread the sky,

There she press'd them to her bosom,
Whilst the tear stood in her eye.
Then she'd tell them of the places
Where the good and bad must go-
Those to everlasting glory,
These to everlasting woe.

'Twas not long she thus continued,
Soon her strength began to fail,
And the little brothers wondered,
Why, her face became so pale.

Now upon the bed of suffering,
See the feeble mother lie;
Hark! she tells her tender offspring,
That she very soon must die;

That their mother soon must leave them;
That their Aunt's would be their home;
Whilst she went to see their father,
Where they also soon would come,
If they'd mind what she had told them;
Learn to read good books and pray;
Never play with such companions,
As profane the sabbath day.

"Oh!" said Robert, sobbing, sighing, While the tears flow'd from his eyes, "Mother, if you will not leave us,

We will always be good boys.
You have often said our father
Lives in some far-off home,
Send him word that you are poorly,
And I think he soon will come."

When he thus had spoke, his brother,
Having heard what he had said,
Thus address'd his dying mother,
As he stood beside the bed.

"Mother, if our father loves us,
As you say he did when here,

THE TWO ORPHAN BOYS,

Don't you think he'd like to see us,
All at once in heaven there :
When you've got a little stronger,
Let us then together go,

For I think he will be angry,

If you leave your children so."

When they thus had spoke, they waited
For their mother to reply;

But they only heard her whisper,
And then heave a gentle sigh.

Then their aunt, who sat beside her,
Led them gently to the door;
Poor things! they little thought
That they'd hear her voice no more.
Three days they thought she slumbered-
On the fourth the cousins came,
And the little orphans wondered
Why they all were dress'd the same.
Almost every one was weeping;
All in dismal black were clad;
Everything appeared so solemn;
Every face appear'd so sad,
That the little infant brothers

Cried aloud, they scarce knew why.
Many tried to give them comfort,
And to fill their hearts with joy;
Many pretty tales were told them;

Apples, sweetmeats, flowers were given;
Still they cried to see their mother,
And to go with her to heaven.

Time pass'd-the funeral over,
With their aunt they went to dwell;
With what cries they left the village,
I shall not attempt to tell.
Soon they reach'd the crowded city;
Soon their destin'd home they find;
But it seem'd not half so pretty,
As the home they left behind.
Here they form'd strong resolutions,
How they'd always be good boys;

How they'd always live together;
How they'd share each other's joys.
Thus awhile they lived together;
Soon their mother seemed forgot;
Joy took the place of sadness;
Every day new pleasures brought.
With bat, and ball, and marbles,
Tops, and kites, and other toys,
Soon they had for their companions,
Many of the neighbours boys.
There was one who stayed a minute,
When his mother call'd him in;
Stay'd until the game was finish'd,
Or he'd have another spin."
Others liked to play for money-
This is sport all can't enjoy;
Some must lose, and disappointment
Must their happiness destroy.

Once, when playing for a penny,
A dispute at length arose;
John and Robert warmly quarrelled-
Angry words gave place to blows.
Then their playmates gathered round them,
Urged them on to cruel fight;

Soon the blood besmeared their faces-
Oh! it was a dreadful sight.

Time pass'd-no more the brothers
Freely with each other talk;
No more did any see them,

Hand in hand together walk.
When from virtue they had started,
Faults soon multiplied apace;

When Innocence departed,

Guilt followed in its place.
Now for prayer they had no leisure-
They could not, dare not pray-
Next to range the fields for pleasure,
From school they stay away.

Thro' the city flowed a river,
On whose surface many a boat,

THE TWO ORPHAN BOYS.

Fill'd with parties bent on pleasure,
On a sabbath-day did float.
Here they met their wild companions,
Wandering down the rivers side,
Who requested them to join them-
They, alas! at once complied.

See them now float smoothly onward,
Thoughtless o'er the silvery wave;
Ah they little thought that evening,
Who would meet a watery grave.
When they reach'd their destination,
Various kinds of sport were tried;
With drinking and with gambling,
Soon they all became employed.
Thus the day pass'd swiftly o'er them,
Darkness came as swiftly on;
Gathering clouds and sudden breezes,
Seem'd to warn them to begone.
They who row'd the boat were drunken,
And had lost the power to steer;
Still they swore with oaths and curses,
That there was no danger near.

A gust o'erturned the vessel;

John alone regained the shore; Of eight who in her started, Seven sunk to rise no more.

When the wind was hush'd in silence,
He who stood upon the bank,
Thought he heard his drowning brother
Shout, "O mother!" as he sank.
Then the lessons she had taught them,
Flash'd like light'ning on his mind;
"Oh, mother!" he repeated,

But he sighed unto the wind.
Who can tell his awful feelings,
In that dreary solitude;
All night the cry, "Oh, mother!"
Seem'd to issue from the flood.
That cry awoke his conscience;
Tears of penitence would flow;